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Even on a cruise, your cellphone will be your number one travel accessory. Rove freely around the world, phone in hand — just don't roam without understanding the costs first. Then you may be able to skip dealing with international plans altogether and just connect to wi-fi hotspots in port. Then, when off the ship in port, you can use your phone as normal assuming there is service and your plan includes the area you are visiting. However, given the cost of the plans and service, it’s usually better just to wait until you can connect to a land-based tower in the U.S. or Canada, which is already part of your plan.
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Using your phone in port
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Royal Caribbean offers a WiFi internet access on its ships, known as Voom, which allows you to browse the internet. Airplane mode disables the phone's ability to communicate with cell phone towers and will ensure you can use your phone without incurring charges. Also, many bars, restaurants and attractions in ports of call cater to tourists with Wi-Fi available. If you want to at least occasionally check your email and social media, you might consider sticking to this option. Hunt down a bar or cafe with free Wi-Fi, and log in over lunch to post a pic of that fruity cocktail or sea view.
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Web based email providers are accessed as normal from our onboard system. Endearing herself to readers with her warm, personable writing style, Judith has become a trusted voice in the cruising community. She is the go-to source for tips, advice, and comprehensive information on cruising.
Traditional Cell Service While in Alaskan & Canadian Cruise Ports
Cruise ships offer a wide range of entertainment options, including streaming services and social media access. However, the availability and quality of these services may vary depending on the ship and the location. When using Wi-Fi on a cruise ship, it is important to be aware of the potential limitations. The ship's Wi-Fi may not be as fast or reliable as what you are used to on land, and it may also come with additional fees.
On the other hand, Verizon's TravelPass and AT&T's International Day Pass charge $5 to $10 per day for travelers to text, call and use data based on the plan they have at home. Without the pass, pay-per-use data rates for both carriers costs more than $2.00/MB on land. Also, remember that you don’t necessarily need a Wi-Fi connection to make good use of your smartphone while onboard. A number of travel apps (such as mapping and translation apps) require internet access for some features.
Can I use the ship's Wi-Fi on my cellphone?
Calls, texts, and data are transmitted over satellite from ship to land. Within the port cities themselves, you should be fine on coverage, even getting high-speed data in many areas. Traveling outside of the ports will likely cause you to drop signal quickly, especially if taking an excursion to the wilderness. Royal Caribbean's app currently only offers a free guest-to-guest chat feature on Harmony of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. The plan is to roll this feature out to the rest of the fleet soon, but there is no schedule for that yet.
Everything to Know About Internet on a Cruise (Speed, Cost, & More)
The cheapest Wi-Fi package from Carnival Cruises costs $12.75 per person per day, which can add up. Unfortunately, on top of being expensive, Wi-Fi on cruise ships tends to be unreliable and slow. Some cruise lines, like Princess Cruises, offer an internet café (remember those?) where you can jump online too. Royal Caribbean offers cellular service through its provider, Cellular at Sea. Unless you are on your at-home cellular provider’s cruise or international plan, rates can be exceptionally high. Verizon offers a $20 per month international plan for use on select cruise ships and airlines.
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If a text comes through and the phone is left on, you may be charged for a received text. Please note that smartphones (Blackberries, iPhones, Androids and other PDA devices) are constantly looking for data connections in order to perform updates and other synchronization steps. Therefore, it is possible that if you leave your PDA device on, you will incur data charges. Please contact your carrier for more information on data charges.
How to stay in contact on a cruise ship
You can choose to have the allowance expire after one month or have the plan renew every month until you remove it from your account. Remember, planning ahead to stay connected can help make your trip a memorable one, for all the right reasons. Most cruise lines offer cell phone service, but it can be pricey. Passengers should check with their carrier to see if they offer an international cell phone plan that includes coverage on the cruise ship. This can be a more affordable option for those who need to stay connected.
You'll be using a different phone number with that new SIM card, but you'll still be able to access your web-based apps, email, and internet messaging like WhatsApp and Apple's iMessage. Once you're in port, double-check whether your phone is connecting via the ship or the local land-based cell tower. Cruise versus land-based roaming charges differ, with land-based reception often the less-expensive option. Most travelers depend on their cellphones for directions, photos, recommendations, wake-up alarms and ride hailing, not to mention calls and texts. But if your vacation plans involve a cruise, you will need to consider rethink your phone use. Simply put, you can't use a cellphone on a cruise the way you can on land without incurring outrageous roaming charges.
Plus, with this secure service, you won’t have to worry about any surprise fees. Some cruise lines have their own mobile apps that work via the ship’s Wi-Fi. These apps include access to ship-specific information, such as deck layouts and programming schedules. While these apps don’t typically offer connectivity with the outside world, they can be helpful for scheduling dinners and arranging poolside meet-ups.
Instead, connect to the onboard Wi-Fi, which is usually available for purchase. Wi-Fi packages vary by cruise line and can be purchased for a daily or weekly fee. Data use onboard a cruise ship is ridiculously expensive, especially because it tends to add up quickly. Always remember to put your phone in airplane mode or turn off data roaming before you head out to sea and don't want to be smacked with a hefty bill upon returning home. Because the internet connection comes via satellite, passengers cannot rely on the same high-speed access as land-based, wired providers offer. Activities like video conferencing, high-definition streaming and online gaming are going to be more of a challenge on your phone at sea.
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